Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13)
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works in Africa: occurrence, ecological implications, and future perspectives Ashirafu Miiro¹, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume 2 , Silver Odongo 1 , Henry Matovu 3 , Ivan Špánik 4 , and Patrick Ssebugere 1* 1 Makerere University, Uganda; 2 Rhodes University, South Africa; 3 University of Sydney, Australia; 4 Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. E-mail: patrick.ssebugere@mak.ac.ug The increasing industrialization and urbanization in Africa have contributed to the widespread contamination of aquatic systems by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a group of persistent and ecotoxicological chemicals commonly used in consumer products [1] . This review examines the occurrence and ecological risks of PFASs in African aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) based on 32 studies from 2009–2024 [2] . A total of 35 PFASs compounds were identified in surface waters, wastewater, sediments, fish, crocodiles, and invertebrates. Concentrations ranged from <0.7–390.0 ng L −1 in surface waters, 0.05–772 ng g −1 dw in sediments, and <0.2–832 ng L −1 in wastewater, with fish and invertebrates recording maximum levels of 460.7 and 35.5 ng g −1 ww, respectively [2] . These levels align with global findings but highlight potential hotspots of contamination from effluent discharges [3] . Risk quotient calculations revealed that riverine organisms are at higher risk than lacustrine ones, with marine species showing greater susceptibility than freshwater species. The data underscore WWTWs as significant PFASs sources, warranting further research into contamination pathways and mitigation measures to protect Africa’s aquatic ecosystems. Key words: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Freshwater systems, Wastewater treatment plants, Ecological risks, Sub-Saharan Africa References 1. Lenka, S. P., Kah, M., & Padhye, L. P. (2021). A review of the occurrence, transformation, and removal of poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment plants. Water research, 199 , 117187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. watres.2021.117187 2. Miiro, A., Odume, O. N., Nyakairu, G. W., Odongo, S., Matovu, H., Kato, C. D., ... & Ssebugere, P. (2024). Per-and poly- fluoroalkyl substances in aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works in Africa: Occurrence, ecological implications, and future perspectives. C hemosphere, 367 , 143590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143590 3. Morethe, M. F., Mpenyana-Monyatsi, L., Daso, A. P., & Okonkwo, O. J. (2024). Unveiling the hidden threat: spatiotemporal trends and source apportionments of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in wastewater treatment plants in South Africa. Water Science & Technology, 89 (1), 71-88. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2023.401
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